The Series With GeorgetownThis will be the 22nd meeting between the Crusaders and
the Hoyas on the gridiron, with Holy Cross leading the all-time
series 14-7. The Crusaders have won their last nine games against
Georgetown, and have been victorious in 11 of the last 13 meetings.
For games played in Worcester, Holy Cross owns a 7-4 advantage in
the series, including four straight wins and five victories in the
last six meetings. The last win for the Hoyas in the series came on
Sept. 11, 1999, when they posted a 34-16 victory at Fitton Field.
Since Georgetown became a member of the Patriot League in 2002, the
Hoyas have an 0-7 mark against the Crusaders.

For OpenersHoly Cross will start its 114th season of intercollegiate
football with the Georgetown game. The Crusaders have always been
excellent on opening day, posting a record of 67-37-9 in their
season debuts. Even with losses to UMass in each of the last two
years, and Holy Cross stands 5-4 on opening day during the current
decade. Since the beginning of the 1980 season, Holy Cross owns an
18-10-1 mark in its opener. The Crusaders also have an all-time
record of 76-29-7 in their opening home game of the season. Holy
Cross has a 7-5 record in home openers over the last 12 years.

Holy Cross Set To Open Another
Year In The Patriot LeagueHoly Cross will begin its 24th season of play in the
Patriot League when it faces Georgetown on Sept. 5. The Crusaders
own an all-time mark of 15-8 in their opening Patriot League
contest of the season, including last year's 38-14 victory over the
Hoyas. Holy Cross also stands 9-2 in conference openers over the
last 11 seasons, with the only losses during that span coming
against Lehigh (38-20 in 2003) and Fordham (42-35 in 2004). From
1998 through 2002, the Crusaders won five straight conference
openers, against Towson twice (31-24 in 1998; 17-14 in 2000),
Georgetown twice (33-7 in 2001; 41-13 in 2002) and Lafayette once
(30-12 in 1999). Holy Cross owns an all-time record of 69-58 (.543)
in Patriot League action, winning five titles (1986, 1987, 1989,
1990 and 1991).

Randolph Leads Crusader
OffenseSenior Dominic Randolph (Amelia, Ohio) will be in his
fourth season as Holy Cross' starting quarterback, and is one of
the favorites to win the Walter Payton Award, presented annually to
the top player in the NCAA football championship subdivision.
Randolph threw for at least 300 yards in each of his last eight
games in 2008, including three 400-yard performances. In 11 games
played last season, he hit on 340 of 520 passes for 3,838 yards and
34 touchdowns. Randolph set new Holy Cross single-season records
for passing yards, total offense (3,917 yards), completions and
pass attempts, while tying the mark for touchdown passes. He now
owns the top two spots on the single-season lists for both
completions and pass attempts.

Randolph Attacks Record BookOver the course of his collegiate career, senior
quarterback Dominic Randolph has completed 821 of 1,301 passes for
9,679 yards and 83 scores, while amassing 9,984 yards of total
offense. He enters the Georgetown game in second place all-time at
Holy Cross in career passing yards, just 19 yards behind Jeff Wiley
(9,698 yards from 1985-1988). During the 2008 finale at Colgate,
Randolph broke the school career record for yards of total offense,
which had been held by Wiley (9,877 yards). Earlier in 2008 against
Fordham, he broke the school career records for touchdown passes
(72 by Tom Ciaccio from 1988-1991) and pass attempts (1,208 by
Wiley), while in the 2008 game with Bucknell, he broke the school
career record for completions (723 by Wiley). Randolph's career
completion percentage of .631 is also the best in school history,
while 18 career 300-yard passing games and five 400-yard passing
games are both the most-ever by a Crusader.

Offensive Line Returns Four StartersHoly Cross returns four starters to an offensive line
which was a key reason why the Crusaders ranked among the top teams
in the nation in both total offense and scoring last season. The
line paved the way for Holy Cross to run for 106.5 yards per game
in 2008, while also providing pass protection which allowed the
Crusaders to throw for 348.9 yards per contest. In addition, Holy
Cross allowed only 16 sacks in 11 games last year, while attempting
523 passes (just one sack for every 33.7 times the team dropped
back to pass). Returning starters for the Crusaders include senior
Chris Smith (Buffalo, N.Y.) at center, senior Chris Poole
(Scituate, Mass.) and senior Rob Petrosino (Bogota, N.J.) at the
guard spots, and senior Aaron Jones (Springfield, Ohio) at one
tackle position. Each of those four returnees started at least nine
games last season, with both Jones and Poole earning All-Patriot
League honors. The final tackle spot will be manned by junior Mike
McCabe (Watertown, Conn.), who started the first two games in 2008,
before missing the remainder of the season due to injury.

DiMichele & Wright Look To Lead Holy Cross
SecondaryJunior cornerback Anthony DiMichele (McKees Rocks, Pa.)
and senior cornerback Michael Wright (Fort Washington, Md.) both
enjoyed strong seasons in the Holy Cross defensive backfield in
2008. DiMichele finished third on the team with 58 total tackles
last season, including 53 solo stops and two tackles for loss. He
also ranked second on the team with 10 pass breakups, while
recording a pair of interceptions. Wright earned second team
All-Patriot League honors, after leading the team with 12 pass
breakups last year. In addition, he recorded one interception and
34 total tackles, including two tackles for loss.

Offense Puts Up PointsThe Holy Cross offense enjoyed another outstanding season
in 2008, averaging 34.4 points and 455.4 total yards per game. The
Crusaders also averaged 348.9 passing yards per game last season,
the second-most in school history behind only the 1987 team which
averaged 358.4 yards through the air. In addition, Holy Cross hit
the 40-point mark three times last year, scoring 44 points at
Dartmouth, 42 points against Massachusetts and 41 points against
Brown. The Crusaders also had an outstanding year offensively in
2007, averaging 35.9 points and 463.4 yards per game.

The Last Meeting - Holy Cross 38, Georgetown 14Dominic Randolph completed 25 of 39 passes for 280 yards
and three touchdowns, to lead Holy Cross to a 38-14 victory over
Georgetown at the Multi-Sport Field. Randolph also rushed for a
score, and finished the game with 294 yards of total offense. Holy
Cross opened the scoring at the 11:41-mark of the first quarter, on
a one-yard touchdown run by Randolph. Later in the first period,
the Crusaders increased their lead to 14-0 on a 14-yard scoring
pass from Randolph to Brett McDermott at the 3:38-mark. Georgetown
scored its first points of the game midway through the second
quarter, when a tipped pass was intercepted by Nick Parrish and
returned 95 yards for a touchdown. But the Crusaders came back to
score 10 more points before halftime, increasing their lead to
24-7. Terrance Gass had a 12-yard touchdown run, then Matt Partain
added a 40-yard field goal. Holy Cross scored another touchdown
early in the third quarter on an 11-yard pass from Randolph to Luke
Chmielinski. The Hoyas scored the game's next points early in the
fourth quarter, when Parrish picked off another deflected pass and
brought it back 31 yards for a touchdown. But the Crusaders
responded on their next possession, putting the game away with an
11-yard scoring pass from Randolph to Jon Brock. Gass finished the
game with 135 yards on 24 carries, while McDermott led all
receivers with five catches for 39 yards. Georgetown's James Brady
hit on 15 of 30 passes for 128 yards, but was intercepted three
times. The Crusader defense forced five total turnovers on the day,
while allowing just 199 yards of total offense. Kyle Mushaweh led
the way with three interceptions, while Andrew Cialino had a
team-best eight tackles.

Lamkin & Rodriguez Among
Defensive LeadersSenior linebacker Sean Lamkin (Jenks, Okla.) and senior
linebacker Marcus Rodriguez (Peoria, Ariz.) have been two of the
top players on the Holy Cross defense, and both were named second
team All-Patriot League in 2008. Lamkin led the team with 71 total
tackles in 11 games played last year, including 56 solo stops, six
tackles for loss and one sack. He also broke up two passes, forced
a fumble and recovered a fumble last season. Over the course of his
collegiate career, Lamkin has now totaled 95 tackles with 10
tackles for loss. Rodriguez finished 2008 ranked second on the team
with 68 tackles in 11 games played, including 49 solo stops, four
sacks and eight tackles for loss. He also broke up four passes last
year, forced a fumble and recovered one fumble. Over the course of
his Holy Cross career, Rodriguez has now totaled 138 total tackles
with 10 tackles for loss.

Crusaders Return An Abundance
Of Experienced Wide ReceiversDespite the graduation of two of its top receivers from a
year ago, Holy Cross looks to once again have a number of
outstanding weapons in the passing game. Junior wide out Josh
Jenkins (Maywood, Ill.) is the top returning receiver on the squad,
after posting 35 catches for 329 yards in 2008. Senior wide
receiver Nick Cole (Tucson, Ariz.) was also very productive last
year, totaling 30 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns. In
addition, junior wide receiver Freddie Santana (Staten Island,
N.Y.) posted 27 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns a year
ago, while junior wide out Luke Chmielinski (Walpole, Mass.) added
24 receptions for 258 yards and one score, and senior wide receiver
Bill Edger (Hainesport, N.J.) totaled 24 catches for 345 yards and
four touchdowns.

Defending The Home TurfHoly Cross has enjoyed great success at Fitton Field over
the years. The Crusaders, who played their first game at Fitton
Field in 1903, have posted an all-time home mark of 353-166-27
(.671). Fitton Field is the second-oldest stadium still used for
Division I college football, behind only Franklin Field at the
University of Pennsylvania (opened in 1895). Holy Cross' best
decade at home occurred from 1980-1989, when the Crusaders recorded
a 41-12-1 mark. In the current decade, the Crusaders have posted a
record of 25-24 at home, with a 4-1 mark in 2008. Holy Cross has
posted a winning record at home in each of the last three years,
including marks of 3-2 at Fitton Field in 2006 and 4-2 in 2007.

Holy Cross Picked First In
Patriot League Preseason PollThe 2009 Crusaders have been picked to finish in first
place in a preseason poll of the Patriot League's head coaches and
sports information directors. In addition, Holy Cross senior
quarterback Dominic Randolph was named the preseason Offensive
Player of the Year, and linebacker Mark Leggiero of Lafayette was
chosen as the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Randolph Named Team
CaptainSenior quarterback Dominic Randolph will serve as Holy
Cross' team captain during the 2009 football season, as announced
by head coach Tom Gilmore following the conclusion of spring
practice. Randolph, who was one of three captains during the 2007
campaign and one of two captains in 2008, becomes the first player
in school history to serve as a team captain for three seasons.
Only 10 other players in the history of Holy Cross football had
previously served as a captain for two years. This will also mark
the first time since the 1967 season that the Crusaders will have
just one player serving as team captain.

Crusaders Bring In Preseason
HonorsSeveral Holy Cross players have earned preseason accolades
heading into the 2009 campaign. Senior quarterback Dominic Randolph
was named a second team All-American by both The Sports Network and
Phil Steele's 2009 College Football Preview. In addition, several
other players were selected preseason All-Patriot League by Phil
Steele's 2009 College Football Preview. Randolph was joined on the
first team by senior offensive lineman Aaron Jones, senior
offensive lineman Chris Poole, senior linebacker Marcus Rodriguez,
senior offensive lineman Chris Smith and senior defensive back
Michael Wright. Senior defensive lineman Alex Carson (Atlanta,
Ga.), junior defensive back Anthony DiMichele, junior kick returner
Josh Jenkins and senior offensive lineman Rob Petrosino were all
selected to the second team.

Crusaders Look To Post Another
Winning SeasonIn 2009, the Crusaders are looking to post a winning
record for the fifth straight year. In 2008, Holy Cross finished
the season with an overall record of 7-4, marking the third
consecutive year in which it has posted seven victories. The
Crusaders previously went 7-4 in both 2006 and 2007, and their
21-12 mark over the last three seasons is its best in a three-year
span since the 1990, 1991 and 1992 squads went a combined 26-6-1.
Holy Cross also posted a winning record in 2005 (6-5), and has an
overall mark of 27-17 since the beginning of the 2005 campaign.
This marks the first time the Crusaders have posted four straight
winning seasons since finishing with a winning mark in seven
straight years from 1986-1992.

Crusaders Among Patriot League
LeadersSeveral Holy Cross players ranked at or near the top of
the Patriot League standings in a number of statistical categories
during the 2008 season. Quarterback Dominic Randolph led the league
in passing yards (348.9 yards/game), total offense (356.1
yards/game) and pass efficiency (142.4 rating). Wide out Jon Brock
ranked second in receptions (5.5 catches/game), third in scoring
(7.1 points/game) and third in receiving yards (84.3 yards/game),
while senior placekicker Matt Partain stood first in extra point
percentage (98.0 percent), second in scoring (7.6 points/game) and
second in field goals (1.1 made/game). In addition, wide receiver
Brett McDermott led in the league in kickoff returns (26.4
yards/return); strong safety Daryl Brown was second in
interceptions (0.3 picks/game); and wide receiver Josh Jenkins
ranked third in punt returns (6.3 yards/return). As a team, Holy
Cross led the league in scoring offense (34.4 points/game), passing
offense (348.9 yards/game) and total offense (455.4 yards/game);
while standing third in pass efficiency (141.6 rating), net punting
(33.7 yards/punt), rushing defense (115.4 yards/game) and kickoff
returns (20.6 yards/return).

Head Coach Tom GilmoreTom Gilmore is entering his sixth season as head coach at
the College of the Holy Cross. Gilmore currently owns an overall
record of 30-25, including a 27-17 mark since the beginning of the
2005 campaign. He has led Holy Cross to winning records in four
straight seasons, including 7-4 marks in 2006, 2007 and 2008, along
with winning streaks of six games (in 2008) and five games (in
2006). Two of Gilmore's players, Dominic Randolph (2007 and 2008)
and Steve Silva (2005), have been named the Patriot League
Offensive Player of the Year, with Silva also earning first team
All-America honors. On Oct. 8, 2005, Gilmore led the Crusaders to
their first victory over a ranked team since 2000, with a 13-10 win
at No. 10 Lehigh. Prior to his time at Holy Cross, Gilmore served
as an assistant coach at Lehigh (2000-2003), Dartmouth (1992-1999),
Pennsylvania (1986, 1990-1991) and Columbia (1987-1989). An
Academic All-American at Pennsylvania, Gilmore graduated in 1986
with a bachelor's degree in computer mathematics. He was the Ivy
League Player of the Year as a senior and helped lead the Quakers
to four consecutive Ivy League titles.

Tradition Of ExcellenceThe 2009 campaign will mark the 114th season of Holy Cross
football. The Crusaders enter the year with an overall record of
583-466-54, good for a .553 winning percentage. Prior to the start
of the 2008 season, Holy Cross' 576 all-time victories ranked as
the 15th most among all Division I-AA schools. Holy Cross has had
31 first team All-America selections, sent 69 players on to
professional football, won five Lambert Cups, claimed five Patriot
League championships, and was named the Division I-AA Team of the
Year in 1987. The Crusaders also played in the 1946 Orange Bowl,
losing to host Miami on the game's final play.

Scouting The HoyasGeorgetown is coming off a 2008 season during which it
posted an overall record of 2-8 and an 0-5 mark in the Patriot
League. Junior quarterback Keerome Lawrence led the team by rushing
for 392 yards and three scores last year, in addition to completing
56 of 103 passes for 481 yards with three touchdowns and seven
interceptions. Sophomore quarterback James Brady also saw a good
deal of action in 2008, hitting on 75 of 142 passes for 690 yards
and three touchdowns with six interceptions, while rushing for 22
yards. Defensively, junior linebacker Nick Parrish led Georgetown
with 73 total tackles and nine tackles for loss. Head coach Kevin
Kelly is in his fourth season at the helm of the Hoyas' program,
posting an overall record of 5-27. Prior to his time at Georgetown,
Kelly spent four years as the linebackers and special teams coach
at Navy.

Crusaders On The RadioAll of Holy Cross' games in 2009 will air on The Pike,
WWFX 100.1 FM in Worcester. Holy Cross Hall of Famer Bob Fouracre
is in his 40th season calling the play-by-play for Holy Cross
football, and his 24th year covering the Crusaders on the radio.
Former Holy Cross standout Tom Kelleher, who earned first team
All-New England honors while leading the undefeated 1987 team in
rushing, is in his 10th year as the color commentator. All of the
Crusaders' games will also be available free of charge over the
internet at ‘www.worcesterpike.com'. In addition, WCHC 88.1
FM, the Holy Cross student station, will carry a number of games
this year.

Holy Cross On TelevisionThe Crusaders are scheduled to have four games shown on
live television during the 2009 season. Here is a look at Holy
Cross' television schedule for the 2009 campaign:
Sept. 19 vs. Harvard: WCTR-TV3
Oct. 24 vs. Colgate: WCTR-TV3
Nov. 7 at Lehigh: Service Electric
Nov. 14 vs. Lafayette: WCTR-TV3 / Lafayette Sports Network

The Holy Cross Football
ShowEvery Tuesday during the season, head coach Tom Gilmore
will be joined by Bob Fouracre for the Holy Cross Football Show.
The show airs live from 1:00-1:30 p.m. exclusively on the internet,
with archives of all the shows available to those who can not
listen in live. The show is carried free of charge at
‘www.sportsjuice.com'.

Crusader VisionLive video streaming of all 2009 Holy Cross home football
games will be available over the internet through Crusader
Vision.The package, done in association with Stretch Internet, is
available for $6.95 per game. For details on how to view games
through Crusader Vision, visit ‘www.GoHolyCross.com'.

Quick HitsHoly Cross placed 25th in the Sports Network preseason
national rankings, marking its first appearance in the poll since
2002 ... The Crusaders were picked as the No. 13 team in the nation
and the top team in the Patriot League by Phil Steele's 2009
College Football Preview. Holy Cross was also ranked No. 18 in the
nation by Athlon and No. 21 by Lindy's ... Ten different Crusaders
posted over 20 receptions in 2008. Prior to last season, Holy Cross
never had more than seven players with 20 catches in the same year
... Holy Cross' four losses last season came by a total combined
margin of just eight points. Prior to this last, the Crusaders had
never lost four games by a field goal or less in the same season.
The last time Holy Cross lost three times by a field goal or less
came in 1980, when they dropped three one-point contests to Harvard
(14-13), Connecticut (18-17) and Boston College (27-26) ... For
only the third time since joining the Patriot League in 1986, Holy
Cross is scheduled to play all of its non-conference games against
opponents from New England (Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, Northeastern
and Sacred Heart).

College of the Holy CrossDepartment of Athletics 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610